To move around Bolivia is quite easy, although not always safe or comfortable. But how to navigate through the largest cities in the country? I put together for you a short tutorial of Bolivian city transport!

P.S. Jezeli interesuja Cie ceny i warunki przejazdow miedzy miastami, warto zajrzec tu/ If you are interested in prices and tips for trips between cities, check it out here:

Airport taxis, painted in white and blue are marked accordingly. That means they are safe. However, this is deceptive, because the drivers are usually, mildly speaking, impatient. Big hole in the road? Puddles, other vehicles on the way? No problem. Time is running out! The taxis, which remember better times, reflect the reality of the road. Interestingly, I haven’t heard of any casualties involving airport taxis, so maybe the drivers are really as skillful as they think they are?

Just like their friends – micro buses and trufi – taxis drivers, who doesn’t mind anything (or anyone), as long as they get to their destination on time. Red light? Surely it does not concern us, they seem to think. To catch the bus/ trufi, stand close to the street and wave. There are no bus stops, so the bus will stop every 2 seconds. Once you enter the bus, you can pay the driver, who, thanks to his multitasking skills will even be able to give you change! Be prepared, however, for the cintimate contact with the other passangers. The drivers usually stop stopping when the door aren’t able to close;)

The state of most public vehicles in the biggest and richest city in Bolivia, is mostly poor, but there are also some recent models on the run. There is a website available, that shows and calculates bus routes –Cruzero! Amazing tool, however not always showing the correct right maps! The easiest way to find your bus is to ask the woman/man in a kiosko.

The second picture shows that the citizens of the Andean capital enjoy new, modern and clean buses, aptly named – Puma Katari. The same, as we know from the streets of European cities. Admittedly, there are still not many of them on the streets, but that’s a good start! In addition to the new buses, the Pacenos have also little busses at their disposal, ubiquitous taxis and … Teleferico, the highest city cable cars in the world! ‘Mi Teleferico’connects La Paz and El Alto where the highest airport in the world operates. It is more expensive than buses, but faster, more comfortable and guarantee some beautiful views.

The Culinary Capital of Bolivia has its own teleferico, but it doesn’t count as the public transport as it leads only to Christ on San Pedro Hill. However, what are ‘pumas’ of La Paz compering to such bus?

Cochabambinos outdo each other in decorating their vehicles, sticking different stickers or pinning colorful ribbons, flapping in the wind, to their busses. Inside, next to a picture of the saints you can see ‘naked ladies’ and other religious articles. These are the real ‘brothels on four wheels’ – dark, dingy, stuffy inside and flashy outside. Always noticable – inviting inside with loud and lively traditional tunes.

In addition to SUCH buses, there are countless trufis, taxis and minivans in Cochabamba, as in other cities, moving along secret routes. Secret for someone foreign, because the locals always know which number to take to get from point A to point B. Apparently the maps of public city transport are available, but no one knows where. Maybe shops ran out of copies some time ago and they didn’t print them anymore, as in happened in Santa Cruz?

Just as drivers of buses, so the airport takes care of the City’s of Eternal Spring image. We will travel from the airport with a brand-new, snow white and ultra-clean taxi, with elegantly dressed taxi driver behind the wheel. He will drive us with great attention and patience, not to scratch the new paintwork.

As you can see, even the public city transport service reflects differences in culture, atmosphere but not necessarily the finances of various regions of the country. They have, however, something in common – chaos, so typical of Bolivia. But I must mention here that the drivers of public transport in Bolivia may have probably the hardest job in the world! Not only they have to drive old vehicles on the dangerous streets, but also at the same time they charge for a ride, give a change (!) and answer the questions of lost passengers. And even in such a chaotic environment they manage to stay calm. Truly admirable, but not to be envied!